Fruit, vegetable, nut ingredients

Date seed protein has food potential but may not be economically viable: Researchers

06-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Scientists say protein from date seeds could used as an alternative to soy protein isolate or whey protein in foods, however commercial viability needs to be further assessed. 

Sales are up but value falls as UK Christmas shoppers opt for cheaper food

06-Jan-2016 By Niamh Michail

UK consumers bought more Christmas products but opted for cheaper versions of them, IRI data has shown, with traditional retailers feeling the downward price pressure of hard discounters.

Cactus, birch, lychee and lemongrass: Soft drink consumers turn to natural flavors and functional innovations

06-Jan-2016 By Rachel Arthur

Consumers are demanding more natural flavors in soft drinks, driven not only by taste but also by functional properties of ingredients, according to Canadean. 

Step away from the buffet: The recipe to eating a healthy festive dinner

23-Dec-2015 By Will Chu

It’s no secret that people eat more than usual during the festive season, but the buffet holds nutritional promise too. We visited a few...

RSPO to publish members’ plantation maps in wake of Indonesia’s forest fires

22-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) will publish maps of all its members’ palm oil plantations – with the exception of Malaysia – in the hope closer monitoring will prevent forest fires and peat land destruction. But is this enough?

If private label is the innovator of tomorrow, how can brands compete?

18-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Private label products have become the trusted brands of today and continuous innovation will ensure they remain so, says one analyst - but could it also hold some promise for brands as well?

What does COP21 mean for the food industry?

18-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

Et voilà – we have a global deal on carbon emissions. But what will be the impact of COP21 on food?

Special edition: Food for kids

Healthy NPD should be the starting point for kids' food

17-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

The ‘good for you’ trend in children’s food is growing, and small companies would do well to focus on healthy new product development in order to compete with big players who have the money to reformulate and rebrand, says one analyst.

Companies sourcing Italian tomatoes urged: 'Make yourselves known'

17-Dec-2015 By Lynda Searby

Following revelations of gross exploitation of workers in the Italian tomato processing industry, the Ethical Trading Initiative is asking food manufacturers to map their supply chains - but Princes is the only one to come forward so far. 

Dispatches from fie 2015

Busting the myth of the magic superfood protein

16-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Insects, ancient grains and algae. There is no such thing as a perfect protein and we must bust this myth of the ultimate ‘superfood’ protein, says researcher.

Research ‘spin’ has policymakers going round in circles

15-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

Scientists and the media have long been uneasy bedfellows, but when it comes to research on nutrition they have become unlikely sweethearts.

Green credentials, a transparent supply chain & climate change-proof profits? WeFarm promises 3-in-1

10-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

How can companies tighten their global supply chains, future-proof profits against climate change and boost their sustainable credentials for consumers in one go? Information-sharing platform WeFarm promises to do just that.

EFSA backs glyphosate but should industry blacklist it anyway?

10-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

The European Commission’s standing committee meets today to discuss whether or not to renew approval for glyphosate. Chances are the controversial herbicide will get the green light. Should the food industry step in and apply its own ban?

Kellogg takes ancient grains into UK mainstream with Legends launch

10-Dec-2015 By Vince Bamford

Kellogg’s is launching Ancient Legends – a range of breakfast cereals using ancient grains such as spelt and rye – in the UK next year.

FiE 2015: Our best bits

09-Dec-2015 By Niamh Michail

Our teams of journalists were out in force at Food Ingredients Europe (FiE) last week. We’ve picked out some of our highlights from over one thousand exhibitors, a packed conference programme and talks on industry insights.

Soy is in the sustainable spotlight but industry is slow on the uptake

09-Dec-2015 By David Burrows

Food companies are acting far too slowly to clean up their soy procurement practices while new standards for responsible soy may not go far enough, say campaigners.

Climate change is cutting UK food production: NFU

02-Dec-2015 By Michael Stones

Climate change is already cutting UK food output, according to a survey conducted by the National Farmers Union (NFU), as US president Barack Obama said the UN climate conference in Paris could be a “turning point” in global efforts to halt rising temperatures.

COP21: Sustainability in focus

More headaches for "less meat" messaging

30-Nov-2015 By David Burrows

Want to promote products with less meat or meat alternatives? Steer clear of environmental messages and focus on health, say researchers.

Russia imposes trade sanctions on Turkish food products

30-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Russian government has imposed sanctions on food imports from Turkey in protest after a Turkish jet shot down a Russian warplane, stepping up the unofficial sanctions of last week.

Add seaweed to food to improve heart health, Danish researchers urge industry

25-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Food manufacturers should add seaweed to help combat cardiovascular disease and related conditions, according to researchers.

Incredible organic? More studies needed to substantiate health effects

25-Nov-2015 By Lynda Searby

More research is needed to establish the health and nutritional credentials of organic foods, say agricultural MEPs.

French brands pipped to the post with private label veggie range

24-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

French retailer Carrefour has launched what it claims is France's first private label range of vegetarian products - which could spur other brands to occupy this relatively undeveloped space, says a market analyst.

Dutch start-up bags DSM funds for immune ingredient ‘shelved’ by Unilever

20-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Dutch start-up Nutrileads has secured seed financing from four investors including DSM, which it plans to use to develop an immunity ingredient previously developed by Unilever.

‘Doing it for the kids’ drives desire for natural nutrition

20-Nov-2015 By Lynda Searby

Parents are more likely to seek out ‘natural’ food and drinks than consumers without children highlighting a growing opportunity for formulating with natural ingredients, suggests study.

Loud and proud: EU handouts to help European agri-food products stand out

19-Nov-2015 By Lynda Searby

Over 30 trade-association led campaigns promoting everything from olive oil to fresh meat have been named the recipients of the latest round of EU funding for agri-food products.

Work came after FSA referred sample and cumin testing

Testing method confirms almond in paprika, not mahaleb

19-Nov-2015 By Joseph James Whitworth

DNA testing and mass spectrometry have been used to confirm almond in paprika and not mahaleb which was found in cumin as part of earlier nut and spice-related recalls.

Strong pulse: UN’s International Year of Pulses targets trade boost

17-Nov-2015 By Michael HURLEY

The United Nations (UN) is promoting the nutritional benefits of pulses through a year-long initiative.

Soya milk better with phytosterols & inulin for LDL cholesterol: Study

17-Nov-2015 By Louisa Richards

Phytosterols and inulin added to soya milk has a more beneficial effect on low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol than soya milk alone, according to a study. 

exclusive guest article

The state of the health and wellness market in 2015

13-Nov-2015 By Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International

Is organic still selling? Does the 'natural' trend mean fortified/functional food is now passé? And why are consumers turning their noses up at better for you (BFY) offerings? Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International,...

EU brings in mandatory origin labelling for food from Israeli settlements

12-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

Food produced in Israeli-occupied territories, considered illegal under international law, must be clearly labelled as such in EU countries - a decision that has provoked strong opposition from Israel.

Symrise reports record growth and profits, confirms full year outlook

10-Nov-2015 By Nathan Gray

Symrise said strong demand in all regions has significantly boosted earnings, as it reported a 29% rise in sales for the first nine months of 2015.

The camera never lies: Micro-cameras improve dietary reporting accuracy

06-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Equipping participants with micro-cameras would improve the accuracy of dietary intake assessments and strengthen confidence in results, researchers behind a pilot study have said. 

ScenoProt project will boost local protein production for real sustainability

05-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

ScenoProt, a six year Finnish project will bring together scientists, consumer specialists and product developers with one aim: developing self-sufficiency in protein production for global sustainability.

California Almond Board accuses media of skewing its sustainability record

02-Nov-2015 By Niamh Michail

Media attention has focussed on the unsustainabilty of California's almond industry, with issues ranging from water overuse during drought and pesticide harm to bees during pollination - but this is unfair says the California Almond Board. 

EU Parliament votes in new novel food rules – or did it?

29-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

New rules on novel food were finally voted in yesterday in a European Parliament plenary, while some confusion remains about the adoption of certain amendments.

What the Swedish eat: 1740-strong dietary survey

26-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

People in Sweden fall into one of three dietary camps - a ‘healthy dietary’, ‘Swedish traditional’ or 'light-meal' pattern - a national dietary survey of 1740 adults has found.

DuPont announces price rise for locust bean gum

22-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

DuPont has announced it will raise the price of locust bean gum following a poor carob harvest in the Mediterranean basin this year and critically low stocks. 

Old-time favourites or one-time fads: Which specialty oils are trending in Europe?

22-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

With consumer interest in health and specialty oils growing, FoodNavigator takes a look at the positioning of superfood newcomers and well-established favourites in Europe.

Industry must boost social protection for rural farmers: FAO

16-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Rural poverty is the theme of this year’s World Food Day but agriculture in itself is not enough to end hunger, says the FAO – social protection is vital to protecting farmers which means industry can get involved. 

Simplistic health labels may not lead to healthy food choices

16-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Thinking of food in black and white terms such as ‘health’ and ‘unhealthy’ can hinder weight management by encouraging an 'all or nothing' approach to eating - so what does this mean for food labels?

Another status quo for the European organic sector?

14-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

EU organic legislation was supposed to dynamise the sector – but with the agricultural committee’s proposal yesterday deemed another status quo by organic groups, is future investment in the organic sector being compromised by the uncertainty?

Italy and France show promise for organic packaged food

13-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Both France and Italy have strong culinary traditions and consumers want quality food but have less and less time to cook – could this be why organic packaged food shows such promise?

Food prices are staying lower for longer, says FAO

08-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Commodity prices are low and steadily falling according to the FAO – but this boon to food security comes at a cost to farmers and threatens to create a sluggish, unresponsive farming sector, it says.

UK's organic standards up for public consultation

05-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Soil Association is updating its organic standards to make them more practical and transparent and is calling on the public to give its opinion in an open consultation.

More than half of EU countries set to opt out of GM

02-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Sixteen countries have requested to opt out of GM cultivation in Europe – but while the Commission says the opt-out clause is necessary for such a complex issue, campaigners are calling it ‘Kafkaesque’ and one scientist warns Europe is walking 'an...

‘The rare case of an ancient food that has found a place in modern food processing’: Mintel predicts big things for lucuma

01-Oct-2015 By Niamh Michail

Lucuma, a caramel-flavoured fruit from Peru, is tipped to be the next superfood used in chocolate, ice-cream, snacks and more – and Europe is leading the way in product innovation, says Mintel.

How can industry tap into consumer demands for local?

29-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

Nearly 80% of British consumers say buying local produce is important but only 30% actually do – why is this and can large-scale food manufacturers satisfy this desire for local?

EU project aims to slash food waste by 30% by 2025

28-Sep-2015 By Nathan Gray

A new EU-funded research project involving partners across the EU, as well as in China, will help reduce food waste by 30% by 2025, say those behind the project.

UK government calls for more local labelling

25-Sep-2015 By Niamh Michail

The UK government is calling on manufacturers to use local county of origin labelling on its products – but unlike in Italy such measures would be voluntary.

‘No success model’ for new protein ingredients

22-Sep-2015 By Eliot Beer

Novel protein ingredients face a difficult future with too many barriers to entry to make success likely – but there are brighter prospects for Quorn and some potential for insect protein in animal feed, says Giract.